In "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel, the characters can be described as high-functioning sleepwalkers. This metaphor emphasizes their existence in a world that has radically changed after a devastating pandemic, where survival has become their primary focus. As they navigate this new reality, their actions may appear mechanical or instinctual, driven by the need to endure rather than truly live.

The term highlights the stark contrast between their past lives filled with vibrancy and meaning, and their current state of existence, which is marked by a struggle for survival. The journey of these characters reflects the deeper themes of memory, loss, and the search for connection in the aftermath of societal collapse.